[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

Maybe where you live.

In NY, completely different story.

Admittedly plenty of people do it but you run a great risk of being burned later on sale.

The garage was also an issue.

The finished one was 4 ft deeper than the CO was issued for.

Due to a recent change in property setback if it did not conform I would have had to have removed the entire thing, not just cure the extra 4 feet.

You could also make the case that this is due dilligence on your part, to educate yourself on any rules pertaining to your particular project. I know that if I planned to physically alter my house (addition, etc) I would be certain I knew what the required property setbacks were.

Out of curiousity, how detailed is the county appraisal information that your respective areas keep on file? We only have to deal with the basics, such as square footage, basement finish, and garage. So short of adding on, there's no way our officials would know if there were changes made to the house. They even have our unfinished basement listed as finished, so past owners have been paying taxes on it for years. Without being invited, appraisers are not allowed to enter your home in KS.